Oeconomicus

Stoicism, hard work and moderation frame Oeconomicus. It is one of the world’s earliest works on the subjects of home management and the concept of ownership. In the form of philosophical discourse, writer Xenophon visits a conversation between Socrates and one of his followers, Critobulus, and they discuss what it is that makes “a home”. As their conversation develops topics under discussion include money and the relative notions of wealth that property and possessions hold. In a second part, Xenophon relates Socrates’ recollection of a conversation with gentleman-farmer Ischomachus. His view of the role of husbands and wives is shared. The ideas have been controversial for two millennia among scholars but are being replayed today.